as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the only stumbling block to our move across the country was finding someone to adopt our cats
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Recent Examples of stumbling block
There’s a significant stumbling block to that reunion.
—
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
But what seems like a minor infraction many years ago could be a stumbling block.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Affordability, or the lack thereof, has long been a major stumbling block for electric vehicle adoption.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
One of the stumbling blocks — the principal stumbling block — to his doing more with Presley was the boy’s manager, Bob Neal, who seemed infuriatingly unsusceptible to persuasion, promotion, or even recognition of his own (let alone his artist’s) ever-increasing opportunities.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
But what seems like a minor infraction many years ago could be a stumbling block.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Affordability, or the lack thereof, has long been a major stumbling block for electric vehicle adoption.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
One of the stumbling blocks — the principal stumbling block — to his doing more with Presley was the boy’s manager, Bob Neal, who seemed infuriatingly unsusceptible to persuasion, promotion, or even recognition of his own (let alone his artist’s) ever-increasing opportunities.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
-
Shiffrin doesn't view this as an obstacle either, nor something to fear at this stage of the game.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Minister Kabawat’s optimism comes despite immense obstacles.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shooting presented unique logistical hurdles, with different sequences filmed across multiple golf courses around Manila’s peripheries due to restrictions.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
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But economists warned Argentina’s assets — and the US government’s bet on Milei’s success — still face hurdles.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Arrests were made for offenses including obstruction of the highway, hindering law enforcement duties, and assault on police.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Oct. 2025
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Observing and recording law enforcement is generally protected, but warning people to avoid arrest or physically interfering with ICE operations could be considered obstruction.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The scandal resulted in major embarrassment to the royal family and effectively ended her official royal role.—
Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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Teens say access to period products has gotten better, but their menstrual cycles are still a source of embarrassment.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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